Core matrix assembly



Jan. 25, 1966 o. A. GUTWlN ET AL 3,230,610

- CORE MATRIX ASSEMBLY Original Filed Aug. 29, 1960 1,20 1,211 120 1 2d 1,26 1 21 1,2 ,1211 I l I l I 1 1 1o\ 1 FIG. 1

5 FIG. 2

INVENTORS OTTO A GUTWIN KURT R. GREBE A ATT RNEY United States Patent Ofiice 3,230,610 Patented Jan. 25, 1966 3,230,610 CORE MATRIX ASSEMBLY Otto A. Gutwin, Crugers, and Kurt R. Grebe, Beacon, N.Y., assignors to International Business Machines gorporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New ork Original application Aug. 29, 1960, Ser. No. 52,439. Divided and this application Dec. 21, 1964, Ser. No.

3 Claims. c1. 29-1555 This invention relates to core memories and more particularly to a novel core matrix assembly and is a division of our application Serial No. 52,439, filed August 29, 1960, titled Core Matrix Assembly, now abandoned.

Magnetic core memory matrices employed in electronis computers must be capable of operating at high speeds in storing and reading out the information retained therein. One of the major efforts in the art has been to increase the speed of such memories and yet maintain fabrication costs at a minimum. To this end, a general approach to the problem has been to alter the properties of the cores employed. Since it has been recognized that the cycle time of a memory is dependent upon the coercive force, switching parameter and total flux switched in an individual core, the material with which the cores are fabricated have been altered to exhibit a different coercive force, and/or better switching parameters. Although it has been recognized that cores having smaller cross sectional areas could be employed to solve this problem, in that the total flux switched is materially reduced, such core structures for memories have heretofore been considered too costly from a packaging standpoint due to the handling problems involved. Such problems manifest themselves when considering the difliculties heretofore encountered in handling individual cores for construction of prior art matrices when threading thereof is performed. Obviously then, it has been argued that to materially reduce the size of the cores now employed, would materially increase the holding and positioning difiiculties lfor threading such cores in a matrix arrangement to such an extent as to consider fabrication thereof beyond reasonable costs.

It has been found that by constructing an assembly according to this invention, cores having a size which is materially reduced as compared to existing cores may be employed in memories to achieve increased switch-ing speeds and yet maintain fabrication costs at a minimum. More specifically, a core matrix assembly according to this invention comprises a non-magnetizable base plate having a plurality of apertured members integrally mounted thereon. The members define a flux path about each aperture therein and are made of magnetic material exhibiting different states of stable flux remanence with the members so mounted on the base plate that the central axis of the apertures thereof are parallel to the plane of the base plate. Each member has a given thickness while each aperture therein has a given diameter. The spacing between members is then determined by the diameter of the apertures and the thickness of the members so that a straight line access is available through the aperture of one member and apertures of suceeding members whose central axes are not in alignment with one another. The arrangement of apertures may be considered to be in columns and rows, and the straight line r erred to is described by a line drawn through one aperture of a given row and column and the apertures of successive columns and rows.

Each of the individual apertures and the material surrounding them represents an individual core, with the cores integrally held to the base plate to eliminate handling difficulties and provide a heat sink therefor while the package presents a convenient structure for threading purposes.

Accordingly, it is a prime object of this invention to provide an improved core matrix assembly.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved core matrix structure wherein the cores are very small and conveniently presented for threading operations.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved core matrix structure wherein the cores are rigidly supported for ease of handling and conveniently presented for threading purposes.

Still another object at this invention is to provide a novel core matrix structure wherein the size of the cores employed is materially reduced as compared to existing cores and conveniently presented for threading operations while rigidly supported for ease of handling and provided with a heat sink for cooling thereof.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a matrix structure in one phase of its fabrication.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a matrix structure according to one embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a matrix structure according to this invention.

A top view of an assembly in one phase of its fabrication according to this invention is shown in the FIG. 1. Referring to the FIG. 1, there is provided a non-magnetizab-le base plate 10 made up of a ceramic or glass material having fastened thereto tubes 12a-12h. The tubes 12 are made of magnetic material such as ferrite which exhibits different stable states of remanent magnetization, commonly known in the art as rectangular loop material. The tubes 12 are fastened to the base plate 10 and to each other by any suitable means such as glyptol-thyolite, quartz cement or a glass-like epoxy resin. Each of the tubes 12 are preferably fabricated by an extrusion technique and in a preferred embodiment have an outside diameter of 0.018 inch and an inside diameter of 0.013 inch. The assembly of FIG. 1 is then subjected to a cutting step wherein the tubes 12 are sliced into segments by means of an ultrasonic cutter or diamond saw, with the material between desired segments removed.

The final matrix structure is shown in both FIGS. 2 and 3, wherein the FIG. 2 illustrates a top view thereof while the FIG. 3 is a front view. Referring to the FIGS. 2 and 3, the matrix structure now provided describes the base plate 10 having a plurality of members 14 integrally mounted thereon, with each member 14 having a plurality of apertures 16 with the axis of the apertures 16 of each member 14 parallel to the plane of the plate 10. In the preferred embodiment, each member 14 has a thickness of 0.010 inch and is separated from adjacent members by a distance of approximately 0.020 inch.

Referring more specifically to the FIG. 2, it may be seen that with each member 14 having a thickness of 0.010 inch with a separation of 0.020 inch between members, the structure presents a convenient package for threading techniques. As an example, consider the winding arrangement shown in the FIG. 2. A plurality of vertical drive lines Y are threaded through the apertures 16 of the members 14 with each drive line Y individually threaded through the apertures 16 in a vertical column. The drive lines Y may then be considered as the column drive lines in a conventional memory matrix. To provide coincident selection, a plurality of X drive lines are provided with the drive lines X considered as the horizontal or row drive lines of a conventional matrix. Each drive line X threads the apertures 16 of the different members 14 in a diagonal fashion. Due to the diameter of each of the apertures 16 and the thickness of the members 14, the distance between the members 14 is so chosen that the apertures 1:: describe a straight line in a diagonal direction, thereby presenting easy access thereto for threading of the X drive lines.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A method for constructing a row by column ferrite memory array comprising the steps of:

directly mounting a plurality of magnetic ferrite tubes side by side in abutting relationship on one surface of a planar support member;

cutting all said tubes transversely with respect to their longitudinal axis to provide a plurality of succeeding segments;

removing every other segment to form said row by column ferrite array.

4. 2. A method for constructing a row by column ferrite memory array comprising the steps of:

directly mounting a plurality of magnetic ferrite tubes side by side in abutting relationship on one surface of 5 a planar nonmagnetizable, electrically non-conductive, support member; cutting all said tubes transversely with respect to their longitudinal axis to provide a plurality of succeeding segments; removing every other segment to form said row by column ferrite array. 3. A method for constructing a row by column ferrite memory array comprising the steps of:

directly mounting a plurality of magnetic ferrite tubes 15 side by side in abutting relationship on one surface of a planar support member;

cutting all said tubes transversely with respect to their longitudinal axis by a plurality of parallel spaced 20 cuts wherein the spacing between segments formed by adjacent cuts is determined by the width of the cut itself.

No references cited.

25 WHITMORE A. WILTZ, Primary Examiner. 

1. A METHOD FOR CONSTRUCTING A ROW BY COLUMN FERRITE MEMORY ARRAY COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: DIRECTLY MOUNTING A PLURALITY OF MAGNETIC FERRITE TUBES SIDE BY SIDE IN ABUTTING RELATIONSHIP ON ONE SURFACE OF A PLANAR SUPPORT MEMBER; CUTTING ALL SAID TUBES TRANSVERSELY WITH RESPECT TO THEIR LONGITUDINAL AXIS TO PROVIDE A PLURALITY OF SUCCEEDING SEGMENTS; REMOVING EVERY OTHER SEGMENT TO FORM SAID ROW BY COLUMN FERRITE ARRAY. 